Chapter 201 Had a great parti (French)
Rocking Alice's cradle, even Isabella also hummed a song.
This was what Sibylla had sung to her, and now she was singing it to Alice.
Compared with the uneasiness in Sibyllana's ballad, Isabella is much more calm.
Alice also gradually calmed down and stopped crying in this sweet tune.
Seeing this scene, Sibylla couldn't help it. She pinched a strand of Isabella's hair and wrapped it around her fingertips.
Unlike Gareth, Isabella's hair is not pure light blonde, but a light brown, which can reflect golden red in the sun.
Even Sibylla was infected by the determination in Isabella's words.
This is a kind of faith, a kind of power to believe.
Antonio Gramsci once put forward a point in his theory of "cultural hegemony":
[A social class can dominate or rule the entire multicultural society by manipulating social culture; the world view of the ruling class will be forced as the only social norm and is considered to be a universally valid idea that is beneficial to the whole society, but in fact it only rules class benefits. 】
A Tibetan serf in later generations once said:
[The lords have fed us. The land we poor people cultivate, the food we eat, and the clothes we wear are all given by them. The reason why we are poor and rich is due to fate. We are rich because they have a good life, and we are poor because we have a bad life. We are rich because they are frugal and know how to live. We are poor because we are lazy and lazy and cannot live well. 】
Not everyone can awaken, and not everyone will resist.
Religion is the sigh of oppressed creatures, and religion is the opium of the people.
Religion here is actually a manifestation of culture.
If most people believe that the feudal system is natural and reasonable, there is no need to change it.
If even the serfs feel that life can go on, even though they live a miserable life, they can go to heaven in the future!
Then the times stand still.
Many people have overlooked one point: ideological liberation is also liberation. In fact, many times, ideological liberation is the prerequisite for physical liberation.
Not to mention how to improve productivity levels, you must know that simply improving productivity levels is often not enough to change people's concepts.
It was only when Europe had engraving and printing in the 14th century that it became possible for the Bible to be popularized by ordinary people, and only then did the Hussites compete for the right to interpret the Bible.
It was in the 15th century that Germany improved movable type printing and introduced metal movable type and mechanical printing presses, which enabled the printing of Bibles in large quantities and gave the people of North Germany the ideological foundation for the religious reform.
Only by winning over and attracting people to the kingdom of heaven on earth can it be possible to realize the kingdom of heaven on earth.
It's no use just saying that the Kingdom of Heaven will come. Someone has to do it.
But the kingdom of heaven has not yet come after all, so it needs to be explained that the coming of the kingdom of heaven is worth fighting for and sacrificing for.
Therefore, "religion" must exist in this process. Whether they are theism or atheism, as long as they are willing to believe in the future and fight for it, they will inevitably form a "religion" on a certain cultural level.
This has nothing to do with the image of God, but what people think and do in the secular world. That’s it.
[Any worldview has become a cultural movement, a ‘religion’, and a philosophy of ‘belief’. 】
——Antonio Gramsci
Alice fell asleep, and Isabella whispered a story to Sibylla.
“On the day that the Lord appointed, He called us and led us to the Promised Land.”
"We are walking on a rugged road, but we have undying hope in our hearts, because we know that the kingdom of heaven is our inevitable destination."
"We do not worship any idols, nor are we afraid of the authority of this world. We only obey the Supreme Lord, because He is the Creator of heaven and earth and the true King of all things."
"Though Caesar gains power, he will turn to dust; but the Lord's kingdom endures forever."
"We are told that the light of life has come to earth, that the Son of God became flesh and made the hopes of mortals come true. With this incarnation, the night has faded and the light of dawn has risen between heaven and earth."
"This is a moment of joy, a joy for all generations, because the Holy Word wishes to live in the world and be with the world, showing that the earth will no longer be barren and life will no longer be empty."
"The promises given by the Lord have never failed. He works in time and fulfills everything."
"We move forward with a smile, always with joy in our hearts, because they know that the end of history is beautiful."
"His will will be done, and His redemption will come to the earth, until that day, we will see splendor and glory in the kingdom of the Lord."
Gareth is the revealer of hope, and Isabella knows that the end of history is happy.
Everyone should celebrate the arrival of Geiris, because the dawn has arrived, the eternal night is about to recede, and the world is no longer an absurd hell. This is a time of joy and celebration.
"Sister, abdicate."
"I promise you Guy will come back."
Listening to Isabella's words, Sibylla stood up and took Isabella into her arms. While her face was pressed by her breasts, Isabella heard Sibylla speak.
"It's really not cute at all. Why are girls so serious? I thought Baldwin was back."
Sibylla, who was about to turn thirty, released Isabella, rubbed her little face hard, then lowered her head and kissed the girl on the forehead.
After such a big car running over a child, the majesty that Isabella worked hard to gather directly broke through the defense.
Then Sibylla hugged Isabella, let her sit on her lap, and kissed Isabella on the cheek again.
Then he pinched Isabella's left hand and put a ring on Isabella's thumb.
This is another royal seal ring, which is Sibylla's status symbol.
Because of the thickness of Isabella's fingers, Sibylla put it on Isabella's thumb, which symbolized power and dominance.
Sibylla was actually mentally prepared for Isabella's request.
Because this was already decided when she met Balian.
Sibylla had a feeling when she recalled the conversation between herself and Balian in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
If Balian hadn't agreed to Balian's conditions at that time, Balian might have been the one to wear a blood-stained seal ring on Isabella's behalf today.
There would be no chance of the tender affection between their sisters right now.
At that time, Balian's body was stained with blood, he held a sword in his hand, and there was only indifference to life in his eyes.
……
Isabella obtained power from her sister, but it caused a problem that she and Balian had not imagined.
Saladin negotiated peace too quickly!
In fact, as soon as the front foot here repelled Saladin's attack, Saladin's back foot sent people over to discuss peace, hoping to reach a temporary armistice agreement.
To be honest, both Balian and the nobles of Old Jerusalem were happy to negotiate peace.
For the people of the Order, they need time to continue to develop, whether it is to unite in Cyprus or mobilize more resources from the Transjordan territory, it will take time.
The nobles of Old Jerusalem thought very simply. After half a year of intense oppression, they needed to take a breath. At least for a short time, they no longer had to bear the pressure of Saladin's soldiers pressing the border.
But Saladin's subsequent request put Balian and Isabella in trouble.
Saladin asked the kingdom to pay accommodation and food expenses for Guy, Humphrey, William V, Marquis of Philamont... and other nobles.
He also said that as long as the food and accommodation fees were paid, Saladin would let these people go free.
The price offered by Saladin was roughly a thousand gold dinars, which was certainly a lot of money.
It is impossible to spend so much money on just eating, drinking and having sex, but considering Guy and his family's status and status, this amount of money does not seem outrageous.
With the current situation in Tire City, one thousand dinars can actually be easily collected.
But how to say it?
Isabella and Balian were as disgusted as if they had eaten shit.
After all, how can you spend money to redeem your enemies’ freedom?
Thinking about it, everyone knows that when Guy and Humphrey come back, they will definitely cause trouble.
Although Balian promised Sibylla to rescue Guy, it shouldn't be now.
The operation should be carried out after the religious group has more powerful control over the political situation of the kingdom.
However, because Saladin did only need a small amount of money, and the demand for an armistice on the kingdom's side was very important.
So Balian persuaded Isabella, and they agreed to Saladin's conditions.
But they had to sigh that Saladin was really experienced and had some skills in being a troublemaker.
Guy and many nobles were freed.
It's just that this freedom is extremely sweet to most of them, but for Guy, it is extremely bitter.
Acre and Tire are a pair of port cities that are close to each other. The land distance is only 45 kilometers and can be reached in one or two days.
When the nobles released by Saladin saw the city walls of Tire again, many of them were even moved to tears for a while.
Even though they actually lived a pretty good life under house arrest in Akka, they were still prisoners after all.
Even a jailer can scorn them. How could they, who used to be so aloof, accept such an insult to their dignity?
Many of these people's wives and daughters were in the city of Tire. After receiving the news, they began to greet them at the city gate early.
On the city wall, Isabella was lying on the wall, looking at these couples, fathers and sons, and fathers and daughters reunited after a long absence, and whispered some vague words in her mouth.
She knew that the situation in the city had become even more chaotic.
If we say that after their sect reached an alliance with Conrad, they could completely control all aspects of Tire City.
So now, because of these nobles, they are bound to demand various powers.
……
As the sun sets, the coast of Tire Port in winter gradually sinks into silence under the golden-red afterglow.
The sea is like a piece of smooth silk, with slight ripples. The sea water is also dyed crimson and purple due to the setting sun.
The cold winter wind blows from the sea, carrying a salty breath, rustling the sparse palm leaves on the shore. Patriarch Irakli led a young man and left a series of footprints on the beach.
The young man walking with Iraq slightly had an extremely gloomy expression.
This young man has a handsome face, but even the life under house arrest has not made him lose weight.
He is the lord of Torun and Isabella's fiancé-Humphrey IV.
He had not seen Isabella since he returned to Tire, and the guards turned him away.
"Sir Patriarch, Balian has given up on me."
Humphrey's tone was laced with a hint of sinisterness.
As an old man approaching sixty, Irakli was not in a hurry to reply.
It's really interesting now. When they were fighting for the throne, he and Humphrey were clearly political enemies, but now they are trying to keep each other warm?
After thinking for a moment, Irakli gave his answer.
"Young man, I think Guy's abdication is the general trend. After all, his virtue has proven that he is not enough to be the king of Jerusalem."
"But I also feel that the engagement made by the late king has not been annulled."
Irakli's words are quite straightforward. So far, the marriage contract between Humphrey and Isabella has not been annulled.
In the Middle Ages, especially in Catholic-dominated Europe, betrothal was regarded as a formal commitment with both legal and religious significance.
Betrothal is not only a social confirmation of a relationship but also a preparation for the sacrament of marriage.
Catholic teachings regard marriage as a sacred sacrament, an irrevocable vow made before God, and engagement is the first step in this sacrament and a deeper commitment.
It is true that an engagement can be canceled, but this usually requires valid reasons and specific procedures to be followed.
If one party seeks to dissolve an engagement, a request in this day and age is usually required to be made to the Church, who will assess the situation and make a decision.
However, Patriarch Irakli is the highest religious authority in the kingdom.
His status as Patriarch of Jerusalem can be traced back to the earliest era of Christianity, and he is the highest level of bishops after the Pope of Rome.
With the support of Irakli, if Isabella wants to cancel the engagement, she will face huge moral and social pressure, and may even be regarded as unfaithful and unfaithful.
And if Humphrey can complete his engagement with Isabella, it will be particularly clear who will be crowned king if Guy steps down.
[Those who are engaged are called to practice chastity through temperance. 】
Facing the naked temptation of power, Humphrey couldn't help but swallow.
But he still said subconsciously: "Your Majesty Sibylla will not agree, and Balian will not allow me to be crowned."
After Irakli heard Humphrey's words, a smile appeared on his lips, knowing that Humphrey's fish had been hooked.
"No, not necessarily. At least we have the same attitude as Balian on the matter that Sibylla and his wife must abdicate."
"Besides, who do you think is the master of this country? Is it Sibylla? That hopeless woman? Or Guy? A mere French knight whose fief in his hometown is not even a quarter of yours Not even one!”
Irakli said something treacherous, but Humphrey wasn't really surprised.
"You know us, right? You know our existence..."
Humphrey paused and looked toward the sea.
At the line between the water and the sky, the clouds in the sky were dyed with flame-like colors, spreading like silk in layers, and the golden-red sun was about to sink into the horizon.
After a while, what will be left will be the silence and coldness of the first night.
After hesitating for a moment, Humphrey said: "I thought you were just a rumor. Does Balian know about your existence?"
"Balian?" Irakli looked a little weird, and then said: "That guy, like you, should only think that we are a rumor."
"No, according to those reports, Balian should be one of you anyway."
Irakli's answer to this was: "Ibelin? Just a nouveau riche."
Humphrey suddenly wanted to laugh when he heard this. The name of a family can often reflect the history of that family.
The Ibelin family named themselves after a castle in Palestine, which actually means that their history is not long, and that their family is younger than the kingdom.
"Then you are mentioning this matter in front of me now?"
"I would like to invite you to join us and let us become brothers."
When he heard Irakli's invitation, Humphrey couldn't help but agree.
But some instinctive vigilance still stopped Humphrey's impulse.
"Just wait."
"Don't worry, whether you join us or not, the promise I made before is true."
The waves crashed against the solid stone shore, and the splashed water droplets shone like broken gold in the setting sun.
……
Guy was ill. In fact, Guy couldn't even enter the city of Tire. He could only take his retainers to recuperate outside the city.
This was to control the situation and was a strong request from Balian and Conrad. Even Sibylla did not directly object.
The meaning expressed is that Guy had lost everything in the battle half a year ago.
And constantly hinted to the other nobles that the Guys had violated the Leper King's will.
Baldwin's original will was that if Baldwin V died in infancy, his "most legitimate heir" would be regent.
Until the four major European monarchs make a joint decision, the next King of Jerusalem can be decided.
The significance of this move is to deepen the relationship between the kingdom and European countries, so as to better obtain reinforcements.
Sibylla and his wife were crowned by force.
While Guy was forcibly isolated outside the city, Sibylla was in the city and announced that a meeting of the nobles of the Kingdom of Jerusalem would be convened.
Almost everyone realized that this meeting of nobles would have a huge impact on the political power of the kingdom.
Therefore, the bereaved dogs from all over Jerusalem, including those remaining knights or small lords outside the city of Tire, rushed to Tire.
Looking at the nobles pouring into the city wall one after another.
Guy's face was unspeakably twisted and extremely bitter.
It's like saying: "We had an awesome party and only one person wasn't invited. Guess who?"
When he was defeated, he was still a king, and Saladin had to treat him with courtesy and personally offer him ice-cold rose water.
But less than half a year after his defeat, his crown began to falter.
After tasting the taste of power, how can you be willing to be ordinary, but so what?
Unless he agrees to Irakli's conditions, he can return to the throne of the kingdom.
Guy clenched his fists tightly and made his decision.
At the same time, in the municipal meeting hall of Tire City, various nobles, led by their attendants, reached the right side of the meeting hall. They were close together. Opposite them, there were corresponding people. It's the empty side.
The nobles on the right include not only the Patriarch of Irakli, but also landless nobles like Humphrey, and even some small castle owners.
This was obviously deliberately arranged, and they were whispering among themselves, constantly speculating on the reasons for doing so, or expressing their own opinions and predicting what opinions Sibylla would express later.
But Irakli didn't say anything, he just waited quietly.
He has already done all the series connections that need to be done.
They, the truly influential nobles, including those who had been extorted by Balian in Jerusalem, all came to an agreement.
No matter what the topic is in the upcoming meeting, they must stay in step as one party.
After all the nobles on the right had finished taking their seats, some more people, who looked like they were dressed as knights, came into the hall and were arranged by the attendants to the left.
Irak slightly recognized some of them, especially Mono. You must know that it was these knights who followed Balian and robbed him!
In addition to the obviously French-looking knights, there are also five Venetian knights who appear here for unknown reasons.
Although these Venetian knights had the obligation to serve the kingdom, usually these knights only enjoyed the surrounding villages as fiefs.
These Venetian knights have dual identities between the Republic of Venice and the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Because of their special status, they generally do not participate too much in the internal affairs of the kingdom.
After seeing the appearance of these people, Irakli instinctively felt something bad. Balian's side had not done nothing in these days.
In addition to the knights, Conrad also entered the parliament hall with several representatives of the Italian Commune and sat down on the left.
Nowadays, although the ratio of the number of people on the left and right is still dominant on the right, the power of the left cannot be underestimated.
This does not look like the work of the Sibyllan woman.
Iraq slightly did not believe that Sibyllah could have such vision and courage, and be able to cut through the mess quickly and clearly divide the complex group of people into two factions.
The viper in the dark is the most deadly.
After the members of the Irakli organization were artificially gathered together, it was already difficult to inspire the knights on the opposite side.
These people on the other side have Balian's power as the core, plus the Venetian knights and representatives of other Italian communes.
Although the overall status is not high, he is a real local snake. He is the master of Tire City and the host here.
Coupled with Conrad's achievements in defending the city these days, it can be said that it is enough to compete with Irakli's parti.
(End of chapter)